T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler’s form a problem for England
The most drastic option also appears the least likely.
Buttler, who signed a new two-year central contract last year, has been a mainstay of England’s white-ball teams for more than a decade. Could they really leave him out entirely for a World Cup semi-final?
That encounter may be at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where Buttler has made scores of 94 not out, 89 and 116 in the IPL.
Ben Duckett is the spare batter in England’s squad – another man struggling for form.
Duckett is averaging 18.88 across 12 matches this winter across all formats and was out for a first-ball duck in his most recent innings at the start of the month.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed would be a left-field replacement. That would be a massive call.
Perhaps Friday’s match against New Zealand, effectively a dead rubber for England given they are already through, is the perfect, pressure-free opportunity for Buttler to help make the hierarchy’s decision an easy one.
“Who is writing Jos Buttler off?,” said former England spinner Alex Hartley.
“If you are, get a grip. He is one of those players where it takes one shot crunched through the covers and he will be back.
“It would be a worry if England were not winning games. I have no doubt when push comes to shove Jos Buttler will be OK.”